What Is My IP Address?
Instantly check your public IP address, connection type, browser details, and more — no sign-up required.
Your Public IP Address
216.73.216.74
This is the IP address websites and servers see when you connect to them.
Connection Details
| IP Address | 216.73.216.74 |
|---|---|
| IP Version | IPv4 32-bit |
| Browser / User Agent | Mozilla/5.0 AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko; compatible; ClaudeBot/1.0; +claudebot@anthropic.com) |
| Time of Check | Mon, May 18, 2026 10:35 AM |
What Is an IP Address?
An IP address (Internet Protocol address) is a unique numerical label assigned to every device connected to a network. Think of it as your device's postal address on the internet — without it, data would have no way to find its destination.
There are two types of IP addresses you should know about:
- Public IP address — The address your Internet Service Provider (ISP) assigns to your internet connection. This is what the outside world sees, and it is what this tool displays.
- Private IP address — The address assigned to your device within your local network (home Wi-Fi, office LAN). Websites cannot see this address directly.
IPv4 vs IPv6: What Is the Difference?
IPv4
- 32-bit address (e.g.,
203.0.113.45) - Supports ~4.3 billion unique addresses
- Most widely used format today
- Written as four groups of numbers (0–255)
IPv6
- 128-bit address (e.g.,
2001:0db8::1) - Supports 340 undecillion addresses
- Designed to replace IPv4 as addresses run out
- Written as eight groups of hexadecimal digits
Why Does Your IP Address Matter?
Your public IP address is used for several important purposes:
- Content delivery — Streaming services and websites use your IP to serve region-specific content.
- Security — Firewalls and fraud-detection systems use IP addresses to identify and block suspicious activity.
- Geo-location — Approximate country, city, or ISP can be inferred from your IP (not your exact address).
- Troubleshooting — Network engineers use IP information to diagnose connectivity problems.
- VPN verification — If you use a VPN, checking your IP confirms whether the VPN is working correctly.
How to Hide or Change Your IP Address
If you want to protect your privacy or change your visible IP, here are the most common methods:
- VPN (Virtual Private Network) — Routes your traffic through a server in another location, masking your real IP. Recommended for most users.
- Proxy Server — Acts as an intermediary between your device and websites. Less secure than a VPN.
- Tor Browser — Encrypts and routes your traffic through multiple servers for maximum anonymity. Slower than a VPN.
- Mobile Data — Switching from Wi-Fi to mobile data gives you a different public IP assigned by your mobile carrier.
Note: Hiding your IP does not make you completely anonymous online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can websites see my IP address?
Yes. Every time you visit a website, your public IP address is automatically shared with the server so it can send the requested content back to you. Using a VPN or proxy can mask your real IP.
Does my IP address reveal my exact location?
No. Your IP address can reveal an approximate geographic area — typically the city or region linked to your ISP — but not your precise home address or personal identity.
What is a user agent?
A user agent is a string your browser sends to every website you visit. It identifies your browser name and version, operating system, and device type, helping websites deliver the most compatible experience.
Why does my IP address change sometimes?
Most ISPs assign dynamic IP addresses that can change periodically (e.g., when your router restarts or after a set lease period). Businesses often pay for a static IP address that stays constant.
How do I check if my VPN is working?
Connect to your VPN, then refresh this page. If the IP address shown here differs from your normal IP and matches your VPN server's location, your VPN is working correctly.